As Drake would put it: "Views"

The vibe

The crowd

The drinks

The service

Our Review

Tell us about this place. Who's here, and why?For over three decades, Pearl has served up award-winning dim sum against the backdrop of Lake Ontario, and it continues to attract regulars from every corner of this massive city. Tourists, young professionals, local foodies, and die-hard dim sum critics alike hail Pearl as the place to go—what could be better than food with views?—but they love the lively atmosphere, too.

On to the main event: the food. Give us the lowdown—especially what not to miss.It's about as classic a dim sum menu as you'll find, with all the typical offerings (fried tofu, steamed fish, BBQ pork bao buns, rice noodles, ad infinitum) coming around on carts. Considering the quantity of food that Pearl puts out, it's a miracle that they manage to maintain each dish's subtle flavors and textures.

Yum. But with so many people, and so many carts, did the service hold up?Luckily, given the size of the restaurant, wait times (even during peak brunch hours) are pretty reasonable. That said, we do have one crucial piece of advice—if you want a windowside table with a view, call ahead and ask for it specifically. Otherwise, the staff work like a well-oiled machine, replacing plates and chopsticks seamlessly and silently.

At the end of the day, why we’re coming here?It isn't the cheapest dim sum in the city, but it's among the best—and the view alone is worth paying a premium for.